Carton handling apparatus



UCL 18, 1949. w. .1. cuPo 2,485,040

CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 18, 1949. W J. CUPO CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1945 Oct. 18, 1949. w. J. CUPO 2,485,040

CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 1 IIIIIIIIIIIIII 'Il Oct. 18, 1949. w, 1 CUPO CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5, 1945 6) l W l Afrik/V573 Oct. 18, 1949. w. J. cuPo CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FLled May 5, 1945 Patented Oct. 18, 1949 CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS William J. cupo, Jersey city, `N. J., assigner o Waldorf Paper Products Co., St. Paul, Minn., a. corporation of Minnesota Application May 5, 1945, Serial No. 592,164

1l) Claims. l

The present invention relates to carton handlirg apparatusand, more particularly, to such apparatus `which is' adapted to the handling of filled cartons in the anchorage of closure naps thereof and the practice of the method disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 552,239, flledSeptember l, i944, and the present application is a cotinuationdmpart thereof.

A general object of the present invention is the provision of such apparatus which is of unique construction, relatively compact and space-conu serving, easily manufactured and readily and efficiently set up and operated in an automatic manner to receive previously filled cartons which may have had suitable anchoring means, such as an adhesive, applied to flaps` thereof and Such flaps folded into overlapping or stacked relation; move such cartons to a suitable discharge station; and, during movement of the cartons from a receiving station to such discharge station, provide for relative anchorage of stacked flaps, e. g., hold the flaps securely together while interposed adhesive is set for assuring the formation of effective substantially sift-'proof closures tending t0 prevent passage of particles of material into or out of the packages.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide such automatic apparatus which during movement to a delivery location of filled cartons having closure aps thereof stacked will effectively apply pressure to opposite sides of stacks of flaps holding them in face-to-face engagement substantially throughout their entire areas of surface contact while adhesive adheres sulciently to anchor them in their relative positions, and such operation being elciently accomplished entirely from the exterior of the cartons without insertion of any means through or into the cartons.

Another object of the invention is the provision in such apparatus of means for elliciently and easily creating from the exterior of lled cartons a differential in pressure on opposite sides of stacks of closure flaps to hold them securely together while interposed adhesive is setting to flapadhering condition.

An additional object of the invention is the provision in such apparatus of suction means which will draw inner, substantially physically inaccessible flap structure out against more permeable flap structure by suction of air through the latter to hold the flap structures together in face-toface engagement vvhile interposed adhesive forms abond.

A further object of the invention is to provide Such apparatus wherein defectiveness of carton structure or failure of suction means to perform intended operations resulting in improperly formed closure-s will be efficiently accommodated by meansV automatically discharging cartons having such defective closures at a station'other than the normal discharge station which feeds to the commercial output of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such apparatus which will automatical ly receive 'in timed relation successive lled cartons having closure flaps folded into overlapping relation with interposed adhesive, associate the successive cartons during progressive forward movement with suction-applying means, causing the latter during such carton 'movement to hold the overlapping Vflaps securely together in faceto-face engagement while adhesive sets to bond them together, releasing the Suction from the moving cartons, causing the latter to be fed from the machine, and which may selectively remove from the machine suchcartons as may have defective closures to prevent those cartons from being intermingled with properly closed cartons discharged from the machine.

A still further object of the Vinvention is to provide structural embodiments of the apparatus which are readily constructed and allow eicient useand operation thereof.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the featfues lof construction, cumbination of elements andfarangernnt of parts, which will be exempliiid in the' construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the cla-finis. y

For afuller understanding of the nature and objects of tl'e invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. liis a top plan View (with parts in section, broken away, and omitted for clarity) of an embodirnent of the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front 'elevational View (with parts in section, Broken away, and omitted for clarity) of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational section, taken along line 3 3Y of Fig. 1, with parts broken away and omitted for clarity;

Fig. '4 is asectional elevation, with parts broken away, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 Ais an elevational front view of structure shown in Fig. 4, with parts in section and broken away;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed elevation, with parts in section, of a portion of the suction head, air-exhausting conduit and suction control valve of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive;

Fig. '1 is a plan View of structure shown in Fig. 6, with parts in section and broken away;

Fig. is a perspective view of an open end of a typical carton structure which may be effectively vacuum-sealed with operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 'T inclusive;

Fig. 9 is a. front elevational view of the upper end of carton structure similar to that shown in Fig. 8, with the end flaps shown in overlapped relation prior to practice of the vacuum-sealing method to be performed by operation of apparatus of the present invention, and with parts of the carton structure broken away to show relative position of parts and typical contents;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill--Ill of Fig. 6, with parts broken away, showing the carton structure of Fig. 9 in relation to the suction head after operation of the apparatusl of Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive and at the moment of release of a resulting completed package from the suction head;

Fig. l1 is a sectional view, with parts broken away, of a modified form of suction head shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view, with parts broken away, of the structure shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of a further modied form of suction head shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12;

Fig. 14 is an elevational View, with parts broken away, of a modified form of vacuum tank, suction conduit and valving means;

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view, with parts in section and broken away, of another embodiment of apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 16 is a detailed sectional view of suction head and valve structure associated with filled carton structure and as employed in the apparatus of Fig. l5, such sectional view being taken along line l6-i6 of Fig. 17; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional View taken along line i1|1 of Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawings, like numerals identify like parts throughout. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, comprises a frame structure 20 including a top plate 2| supported by any suitable means. such as a plurality of legs 22-22. A bearing sleeve 23 through which a vertical shaft 24 rotatably extends is supported by the frame plate 2|. The vertical shaft 24 is fltted with a drive pulley 25 about which is trained a drive belt 26 to be driven by any suitable motive means or power unit (not shown).

Above the frame top plate 2| is rotatably supported a turret structure preferably comprising a turret table 21 which has a circular track 28 and also a circular gear rack 29, both fixed to the bottom side thereof. The upper end of the shaft 24 extends above the frame top plate 2| and has the turret table 21 fixed or keyed thereto to be driven by that shaft. The turret table is rotatably supported by a plurality of posts 30-33 each of which carries a roller 3| on which the circular track 28 rests. The posts 30-30 are supported in any suitable manner upon the frame top plate 2l, such as by means of an intervening plate 32.

A spur gear 33 is meshed with the circular rack 29 and is keyed to or fixed upon a shaft 34 rotatably supported by a journal block 35 bolted upon plate 32. The shaft 34 also has xed or keyed thereto a beveled gear 3B which is meshed with another beveled gear 31 fixed or keyed to a shaft 3B rotatably supported by journal blocks 39 and 40 supported by the frame structure 20. The shaft 38 extends toward the front or receiving side of the apparatus and is there provided with a beveled gear 4I meshed with a beveled gear 42 keyed to or fixed upon a cross shaft 43 suitably rotatably supported by journals 44, 44 supported upon the frame top plate 2i.

The cross shaft 43 also has keyed thereto between the journals 44, 44 a, pulley or roll 45 about which is trained an endless supply belt 46. Accordingly, as the turret table 21 is rotated, say in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, by means of the belt 26, the pulley 25 and the shaft 24, the supply belt 46 will be driven in synchronism therewith by the roll 45, shaft 43, beveled gears 42 and 4l. shaft 33, beveled gears 31 and 36, shaft 34 and spur gear 33 meshed with the gear rack 29. However. it is believed to be obvious that other means of driving the turret table and supply belt in synchronism may be employed, such as any suitable motive means or power unit connected to the cross-shaft 43, or, if desired, separate power units may be employed for driving the turret table and the supply belt.

T'he turret table 21 is provided with a plurality of recesses or notches 41-41 in the peripheral edge thereof, suitably angularly spaced apart. Each recess is fitted with a carton elevating plate 48 preferably having its top surface lying in the plane of the top of the turret table 21 when the former is in its lowered position, as is indicated in Fig. 3. With the turret table 21 intended to be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, each elevating plate 48 is provided on its leading side, adjacent the back corner thereof, with a right angle flange 49 to aid in properly positioning a filled carton as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Each elevating plate 48 is supported upon a vertical rod 50 slidably mounted through a sleeve 5l fixed to the under side of the turret table 21, Such as means of a bracket 52. The lower end of each of the rods 50 is adapted to serve as a cam follower, and for this purpose may be provided with a roller 53. The rollers 53-53 rest upon and, in the rotation of the turret table 21, follow a circular cam track 54 supported on the frame top plate 2l.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cam track 54 is suitably contoured so that at the receiving station opposite the end of the supply belt 46 each .elevating plate 48 will have its top surface lying flush with the top surface of the turret table 21. As the turret table 21 rotates, the cam follower 53 (on the rod 50 supporting that elevating plate 43) will ride up an inclined portion 55 of the cam track 54 to a point 56 and will then travel around substantially in a horizontal plane from the elevated position, such as that indicated at 51 in Fig. 1, to a point 58 on the cam track (indicated in Fig. 2). which may be in the locality of the position 59 indicated in Fig. l. Thereafter the cam follower 53 will ride down the decline in to arrive at the station 5l, as indicated in Fig. 1, with the elevating plate 48 lowered to its initial position. The elevating plate 4B under discussion will then be rotated around from the station at 6I, which may be termed the defective closure discharge station, past or through the www@ position at 6%, wl-iiel'r is--theL normal discharge station,I back tothe receiving station at Boppo site the end of 'thesupply beltlfl.4

Avacuum tank4` B4', which is to beheptpartially exhausted ofA air," isssuitably'supportedf upon the turretl talcrle,d such asl by meansLoffa post 69. The top of the tank- Gillis-providedr with arsuitable tting 691wiiich connectstlieI endoffanexhaust conduit hthereto Whilepermitting thest'ank to. rotatewith they turret! table. The exhaust3 conduiti Mlm-ay be connected atl anyremaote'point with lany suitable gas-exhansting means, suchas an air pump, operatedfby any suitable motive. means,` such as an. electric. motor. which may havea. starting switclriy in its electrical supply circuit suitably controllecfbyA a pressure-,responsive control which Will close-the circuit ofv the motorv when the pressure inthe `tank rises above a` predetermined. value." Itis 4believedzto be `oblvious that, if desired, such exhausting means maybe mounted directly upon .thesvacunmitanin borxother parts of the rotating structure, thereby eliminating necessity ota ttingpsuch as that suggested at'66.=

A plurality of conduits 691-69 are connected to the vacuum` tank` 6l@ and radiate substantially horizontally therefrom toward the elevating plates 4-f-4. Each conduit 63 terminates in a valve `unit 69; in turn connected by` a conduit 1|)V to a suction head arranged above one of the elevating plates 40;

Each suction headr1| preferably comprises a block or plate structure:12flraving a lower cartonengaging face 15|l` providedwith a pair of apar-- tures. or orifices. 14, 14eachcommunicating with a passage 15 connected together by a crosspassage 19 in the. suction` head. The crosspassage 16 communicates via arpassages11 with the conduit 10.

Each of the apertures 'or holes 14; 14' is prefer;- ably surrounded'bya resilient gasketing ring |15, seated within a circular rabbet'aboutzthe aperture: and of such dimension as to-permit theouter edge of the gaslreting` ring to project slightly beyond the carton-receiving surface. 13soV that when a portion of` a carton is forced up into contact With the latteneach'gasketing ring Will fb'e somewhat compressed to prevent leakage of gaseous uid, i. e., air. betweenthe gasketing ring and the carton surface contacted thereby.

The valve unit69: may be of any suitable construction and, as shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 10, may comprise a casing 18 having a through passage 19 providing communication betweenrthe conduits liiland10i Transversefoitthe passage 19 is provided a tapered hole 80: whichrotatably receives a tapered valve element 0| traversed Aby a hole 82- to be aligned with the passage 19 'vv-henlthe valve is in one position. The tapered valve element B| is preferably provided on one end externally of the casing with a headed pin.83 surroundedby a helical spring 04 held under compression between the casing 1B and a washer 85 beneath the head of the pin 83 to bias the tapered valve element into the tapered hole 80. The other end oi the tapered valve element 9| is provided with an operating spindle 86 fixed theretoandextending beyond the other side of the casingy 19. A coil spring 81 surrounds the spindle 86 andlhas one end fixed at B8 to the casing and the other end at 99V connected to a valveeoperating means 90M fixed upon the spindle 86? The valveeoperating means lll);rnayrcomprise,A a pair of opposed arms 9| and. Mlv The'arm 9|` terminates in aose ll'sbeneathlwhichianormally 6'? engaged'i the end i ofi' a latch' member.'l 94 to` l'ioldil the valve -in 'closed 1 position ishown' in Figs..` fiand'i 10.v1 The latch-member Mlisrpivotedfat 9i-iupont abracketr 961'preferably .nxed to a side of 'the 12'ot1thesuctioniheswhand issov arranged asftof be .pivotedi upwardly but is, limited vin its .dover-rx-V wardnwvement `by'aisslznrxulder 91 which engagesan abutment 99;"011 thebraolcet 99;

The platec=12 of the. suction head 1| has Va holef` 99 formed therethrough slidably to receive a. control plungerV |001V The control plungerz |00 has ag collar: |01 fixed thereon .to limit downward movement' and an upwardly projecting end |02 beyond the-col1ar normally positioned beneath the.

1 latch 94-1so as-towraisethe latter when the controL plunger: llllltispushed upwardly. The control plunger |00 has a button |03on the bottom endi thereof extending below the carton-contacting faee13rofithe suction -head 1| which, when raised,

.is adapted to be received within asocket |04-in thesuction headso that the bottom face of the button will lie flush with the carton-contacting, face. The control plunger. |00. may be biasedby` the force of gravity to its lowermost position., shown in Fig. 3, but, if desired, may be additionally biasedby aihelical spring |05 received withina socket in the .suction head'plate 12Iprovided, if desired, by more deeply counter-boring atl 09 the hole 99 yin the formation of the buttonreceiving socket |04.

The latch member 94 will provide a` limitingV stop with the valve arm 9|` in one position, that is, the closed position of the valve. Another limiting stop is provided by any suitable means, such as. a p in |01 fixed on .the valve casing 1within` the .path of the arm 91 when the latteris released from the latch 94: This stop pin |01' will hold the valve inits open position when rotated by the spring 81 through' an angleof about ninety' degrees (90) after release from' the latch 94, asv

will. be more fullyexplained hereinafter.

The valveeoperating means 90,' as previously pointedout, inciudes another arm 92 whiclrisv adapted to return the valve from the open posi-- u tion tol the closedposition. The arm 92 is preierablyprovidedwith a cam follower |08 formedk as a projection extending substantially at right' aIIgieStheretO, with its end or nose rounded atf |091tol cooperate with' a valve recocking cam ||0y f supported in any suitable manner, such` as by` means of a supporting strap at the normal disf charge station 621" as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The valve recocking cam I0 preferably comprisesfl anahutment I2 in the path of the cam follower |08 and a substantially arcuately arrangedfflatf bottom-surface ||3` beneath which the nose |09' is adapted `to rideidnring rotation of the suction. head 1| and valve unit 69 through a small radialV angle sufficient to assurereturn ofthe'valve element 9| and its arms 9|4 and 92 to and past' their-initial `positions while permitting the latch member 9|!A to drop to its locking position, as shown in Fig. 6. The dat surface ||3 of fixed camri i0 merges with an upwardly sloping surface ||4=-to permit gradual return of arms 9| and 92 toi their initial full line positions shown in Fig. 6 after. the latch member 94 has been permitted to. dirop` into locking position, all as will be moreY fully explained hereinafter.

Aat the defective closure discharge station 6| shownin Fig. 1 a discharge chute ||ii is provided. which .comprises a bottom |6 and a pair of side flanges |1 and ||8, all terminating-closely adjacent the` path of the periph-eral edge ofthe turret;

75: table- 2.1. Any suitable means, such as abracketl |19 xed upon the frame plate 2 I, is employed for support of the chute I|5. The side iiange ||1 is provided with a rakeoff shoe |20 in the path of a carton which may remain upon the elevating plate 48 after the latter is lowered. The rakeoff shoe |20 is so located as to permit the cartonlocating ange 49 on the elevating plate 48 to pass therebeneath when the elevating plate is in its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 2.

At the normal discharge station 62, as shown in Figs. l, 2, 4 and 5, a discharge chute |2| is provided which comprises a bottom plate |22 having side flanges |23, |23 which, at the upper receiving end thereof, are arranged beneath the normal path of the lower end of the package when carried around to that point by any one of the suction heads 1| so that, as a package is released from the suction head, the former will be permitted to slide down the chute, to be discharged from the machine to any suitable delivery means. The discharge chute |2| is supported by any suitable means such as a bracket |24 mounted upon' frame structure, such as the top plate 2| thereof, and the bracket |24 may, if desired, serve fixedly to mount the support bracket for the iixed cam ID. The chute |2| is provided with a transversely extending trip bar |25 at the bottom thereof, for a purpose to be explained later, and the discharge end of that chute is arranged above a delivery belt |26 trained about a roller |21 rotatably supported by a shaft |28.

With respect to the receiving side of the machine described above, means are provided at the receiving station 63 to transfer lled cartons,

with their upper ends unsealed, to the turret table 21 in properly timed relation so that each carton will be properly positioned upon one of the elevating plates 48. This means may comprise a star wheel or a pusher element, such as that proposed in Figs. l, 2 and 3, anisxn may comprise a swinging arm |29 having a tapered nose |30 and pivotally supported lby a pin |3| for swinging movement about a vertical axis. The arm |29 terminates in a. sleeve |32 rotatably supported on the pin 3| and having an arm |33 carrying a lug |34 normally disposed in the path of a plurality of lugs |35-I35 fixed to the under side of the turret table 21. A helical spring |36 is arranged about the lower end of sleeve |32 and has one end at |31 bent upwardly to rest against the outside of arm |33. The other end of the helical spring |36 is fixed at |38 to a post |39 which carries pin |3| and is supported upon the top plate 2| of the frame structure. This feeding mechanism cooperates with the angle flange 49 on each of the elevating plates 48 in a manner fully indicated hereinafter.

There is also arranged at the receiving station 63 shoe means to hold ycarton flaps in properly folded or overlapping relation and to retain them in their relative positions until each lled carton can be raised into proper position with respect to a suction head. This means may comprise an elongated flat plate or shoe |40 arranged substantially parallel to the supply belt 46 and terminating above the position of each elevating plate at the receiving station 63. The overhead plate or shoe |40 is provided above the latter position with a laterally extending arcuately shaped wing |4| extending in the intended direction of rotation of the turret table 21 and sloped gradually upwardly, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to permit a filled carton to be gradually raised by the elevating table 48 as the latter moves upwardly due to rolling contact Such pusher mechbetween the roller 53 and the cam track 54 along the sloping portion 55 of the latter. The shoe wing |4| will retain the carton flaps in their overlapped positions while the upper end of the carton is `being raised to the vicinity of the face 13 of the suction head. In order to assure accurate positioning of the overlapped flaps of the upper end of the carton with respect to the suction head, each of the latter is provided with a flared skirt |42 which guides the upper end of the carton to proper position as the latter is raised to contact with the suction head, immediately after being moved from beneath shoe wing |4|.

The operation of the machine disclosed in Figs. l to 10 inclusive will be described in connection with a typical embodiment of carton structure which may be closed in an ecient manner by apparatus of the present invention. Such tub-ular carton structure |43, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, may have its lowermost end |44 (which eventually will be the top of the package) closed by a plurality of overlapping flaps in any suitable or desired manner and comprise a front wall panel |45, a yback wall panel |46 and opposed side wall panels |41l |41 joining the panels |45 and |46 together. Each of these panels is provided at the upper end of the carton structure with an end ilap, the edge of the front wall panel |45 being extended to provide an end flap |48, the back wall panel |46 being similarly provided with an end flap |49, and the opposed side wall panels |41, |41 being similarly provided with end aps |50, |50. It will be noted that the side wall end naps |50, |50 are of such dimension that when they are bent inwardly across the open end of the tubular carton structure they will not overlap, and that these end flaps are imperforate. The end flaps |48 and |48 preferably extend the complete width of the front and back `wall panels |45 and |46 and are also preferably substantially as wide as the depth or distance between the front and back panels of the carton structure, so that as they are folded inwardly they will overlap to extend substantially completely across the end of the carton structure.

It will be noted that both the end flaps |48 and |49 are provided with a pair of apertures and that the pair in one end ilap are preferably larger than those in the other end fiap. For example, apertures |53, |53 in the intermediate end flap |49 may be made larger than apertures |52, |52 in the end ap |48. Whether these two pairs of apertures are of substantially equal dimensions or whether larger apertures are provided in the intermediate end flap or the outermost end flap, they should be so placed as to permit communication between the apertures in the two overlapped laps to provide passageways therethrough to the underlying imperforate flaps. Making the apertures in one end flap larger than those in the other end ap assures the attainment of proper registry as to insure the desired communication between the apertures of the overlapping flaps. Of course, it will be understood that, for the purposes of employing apparatus of the present invention to seal such carto-n structures, other Ways of providing passages through outer flap structure to inner imperforate flap structure may be practiced.

Such carton structure may be set up and handled in known manners by any suitable apparatus, with each being provided with a charge of commodity, such as that indicated at |5|. Thereafter surfaces of end naps may be provided with any suitable adhesive material by any suitable .apparatus as is well known. The. side wall flaps |50,-|50 are thenlfolded inwardly by any suitable apparatus above .the charge of commodity, and then the remaining pair of endF flaps. |48 and=|49 are foldedl down `.uponthe endflaps |50, |50, with-the former overlappedrespectto eachother tapuevide asstack of apsit54 serving as a temporary closure for the carton structure. This carton structure twill .then beffed, forward by thesupply` belt-15 to beneath theilat plateor shoe `|4|l toward the receiving'station .63 of the turret table 21. As eachcartorastructure- 43 approaches the receiving stardom-03 onei of` the lugs |35 fixedto the under :side-fof the turrettable .21A will engage rthe lug` |34 enthe feedrngcmeeha.-

nism, causing theiarm |29 thereof. to swing in behind the carton structure and push the .latter onto the elevating plate -48 which is arriving at the receiving station. `The tapered; nose Lon the arm |29 will cause the cartonstrueture |43 to=be pushed over intoitspropcr position l.with itsrfar corner on the leading sidefmovedlinto the .angle ange 40. Then asthel turretltable 21 is rotated further in a clockwise direction; as viewed in Fig. `l, the lug |35 will move past the lug |34, per:-

yrnitting theieeding `mechanism `arm |29 .to be returned by the springgit to its'original position substantially parallel toutheV edge .of the supply belt 4S Lfor subsequent ,renagagernent .behind the next succeeding. carton structure and feed thereof to the` following-elevating plate-.48.

As the turret tabler21 is rotatedl ,beyond the receiving station to a .position'such as that indicated at 51 in Fig.: l, the cam follower 53 will-ride up the inclined portionf of the cam track to the point 56, `causing theelevating plate 40 to raise the carton structurey |43 .with the sloped and -arcuateiy shaped wing |4| of the=shoe|40serving'to hold the end flapsin'thestack: |454. in overlapped relation as the carton structure is 'being raised toward the suction head 1| larranged yabovthe elevating plate 48. In the vicinity ofthe posi t-ion at 51 the closed upper end |54 of the carton structure will be moved frornbeneath the shoe Wingv|4|, raised into thelared .skirt l|142 of the suction head 1|, and inally'brought up snugly into engagement -with the lowerface va'l3 of the suction head, compressing the :gasketing rings |l'5, |15 and causing the apertures or orices 1li, 14 in the suction head` to bebrought into: cornmunication with the lpassagesthrough thetwo outer end flaps |48 and |49 provided by 'the aligned apertures |52, `|f52 and |53,f||53 therein. The elevating plate 248 will then be carried around by the turret table 21 in a transverseplane-.from the position at 51 to thejposition ati with.the closed upper end |54 oi thelcartonstrueture |43 being held .up securely againstthe bottomiface 13 of the-suction head by virtuesoflthe fact that the cam track 54 lies substantially ina horizontal plane through that radial-sangle.

As the closed upper end |54 o f; the carton :structure |43 is raised up into theiared skirt |42'of the suction head and approaches the-bottomlface 'i3 thereof, the carton end-engages.the button 03 on the bottom end of .the control-plunger. |00, causing the latter to be lifted so that itsupper end |02 will lift the latch member from its vfull lineposition shown `at L51 in-Fig. 6 to its dotted position shown vat |50. .Thiswill causethe valve arm 0| to move from itsfullllneposition at |50 in Fig. 6 upwardly'toa positionrpermitting the nose 03 of the valve arm '8| to pass the end oi the latch member .94, the positionronarms `9| and`02 and follower ,milgiust ,aftersuch action o as the case may be.

10 Abeing indicated indotted linesat |58. The coil Aspring 81 will then rotate the valve arm 5| Yclownwardly until it Yengages the stop pin |01, bringing the valve armsl .and,92 andcarn follower |03 5 ofthe latter to the dotted position shown at |00 .inFig...6. Thenose |09 of the camiollower |08 thereafterwill .berotated about the axis of .the turret tableinaf, path intercepted .by the fixed .camd L0, show-n in Fig. 6 in the dot-dash position :l0 :at LSI to indicate its. location relative to the path of travel cicamafollower |00.

JWhen the-.coil spring B1 is permitted torotate the valvefelement! in a counter-clockwise difrection iuntil the .valve arm 9| strikes the .pin 15 .-i0`|,..the hole 82 in the valve element is brought .fintoaalignnientwith.the passage 19 in thevalve "casing 12, thereby bringing thepassagewaysln .thesuction headl1| into communication with. the 'vacuum tank'64, orauxliary .vacuum tank |64,

This Will cause the open ori- "oesf14, 14 .of the'ducts or passages tilt in the 4suction.head1| to withdraw air from the interior of theoartonthrough the passages provided.- in the intermediate and outermost flaps L49 and |48 by ,g5 thealigned apertures y|453, |53 and |52, |52, Ato

causethe imperforate end'aps;|50,|50 to be quickly drawn and snapped up into tight face 1:ensagementwith` the underssurface of the intermediate endflap |49 bypassing currents of `.air 30 with a resulting creation of a differential in pressureron opposite sides pf the imperorate-end naps.

Theunder surface 13 0f the suction head 1| nisaorsuchdimension as to overlie the outermost 35 .end flapf|40 substantially throughout its entire earea `beyond the circumferential edges of the `:gaskets 15,|15so as effectively to bias a major portion of that outermost flap. The outer most lap |48 being biased by the suction head 1|, al1 'oof the endflapsin the stack |54 are caused rto ".be tightly drawn together and suitably there li'reld in position-by this differential in pressure zuntil the interposed adhesive has set sufficiently ,to anchor theend flaps together. This is accoms:.;plished-whi1efthe carton structure |43 is being `carried-around by the turret table 21 during .travel fromthe positionin the `vicinity of that undicatedat :51 to the `vicinity of the position indicated at 59. At the latter position the cam .2n track 54 is sloped-,downwardlyat 50 topermit ftheelevating plate'40 to be lowered to its initial elevation in the vicinity of the station at 6|. If ,such Ysuction has `been properly applied to '.theclosed upper` end |54 of the carton structure ai, YMath-e carton. structure will beheld up by the :suction against the suction head as the latter is fmoveddrom station .6| to the normal discharge ystation at. l|52.

However, if no suction, or improper suction, lufhas'been applied to the carton end |54, due to defectivecarton structure or structural failure of..apparatus parts or lack of partial vacuum in the'vacuumtanm the carton structure |43 .will remainon the elevating plate 48 as the latter is vbeing lowered. This will indicate the probable .presence of 4a defective closure, and means are 4provided at the defective closure discharge station .at16l .to remove such carton for segregation from the normal output of the machine. This is laccomplished by the rakeof shoe |20 in the path of cartons remaining on the elevating plates 48 Y4|3,.whichwill cause those cartons to be swept off from. the elevatingsplates and turret table 21 into thedischarge chute |5.

.-'W hen the suction has i, .y been effective to hold the stack of end flaps at |54 securely together while interposed adhesive is setting during travel of a carton |43 from the position at 51 to the station at 6|, the resultant package with its upper end naps at least temporarily anchored together by the set adhesive will be held against the suction head 1| by the suction until the package is moved to the normal discharge station at 62. There, since the valve recocking cam is arranged in the path of the cam follower |08, the nose |09 of the cam follower |08 is moved up against the abutment ||2 in further rotation of the suction head 1| and associated valve unit 69 and then forced to rotate in a clockwise direction until the nose |09 can ride beneath the flat bottom surface ||3 of the recocking cam, carrying with it the valve arms 9| and 02 to the dot-dash position at |50. This will cause the nose 93 of the arm 9| to be moved up past the end of the latch member 94, with the latter being moved to its dot-dash position at |59. Thereafter the latch member 94 will fall down to its full line position at |51 and the upwardly sloping surface ||4 of the recocking cam ||0 will permit gradual return of the cam follower |00 and valve arms 9| and 92 to their initial full line positions shown at |56 in Fig. 6. This return of the valve parts to their initial positions shuts oif communication between the vacuum tank 64, or auxiliary vacuum tank |64, and the suction head 1|.

To assure release of the package from the suction head 1| the passages in the latter are vented to the atmosphere when the valve is rotated to the closed position. For this purpose the valve element 8| is provided with a passage or groove |55 which, in the closed position of the valve, provides cbmmunication between the atmosphere and the interior of the conduit 10 connected to the suction head 1|. Breaking oi the vacuum in the suction head 1| releases the package, permitting it at the normal discharge station 62 to fall down into the discharge chute |2|. The package will then slide down that chute until its lower end |44 (which is intended to be the top of the package) strikes against the transversely extending trip bar |25. This will cause the package to tumble over, with its vacuumsealed end |54 falling over onto the delivery lbelt |25.

The suction head 1| and the elevating plate 40 associated therewith, under discussion, will then be carried around by the turret table 21 from the normal discharge station 62 back to the receiving station at B3 for repeating the operation on another filled carton structure. Obviously, all of the other of the plurality of elevating plates 40--48 and suction heads 1|-1I operate in a similar manner during their rotation by the turret table 21.

It is desirable to provide each of the suction heads 1|-1I with a contact face or lower surface 13 of greater area than the area of the end |54 of the carton structure |43, so that the suction head may be employed to apply pressure to the major portion of the stack of end aps at |54, including the parts thereof which are in the vicinity of the side walls of the carton where there may be less tendency for the differential in pressure to force the lapped end flaps together toward the suction head. It has been found that a secure bonding of adjacent surfaces of lapped end flaps is attained by the maintenance of suction for a relatively short period of time (depending somewhat, of course, upon the nature of the adhesive employed). Such period of time may be about from three to ten seconds, during which the adhesive may form at least a temporary bond while each carton is being carried around from the station at 51 to the normal discharge station at 02. When suction is discontinued at the latter station and the package :is inverted during its travel down to the delivery belt |26, the weight of the package and its contents upon the stack of flaps at |54 will continue to hold them in face engagement as the adhesive takes its nal set. Obviously, the suction may be maintained throughout the period of complete setting of the adhesive by proper dimensioning of the apparatus or adjustment of the speed with which it carries the cartons forward, but such time consuming procedure has been found to be unnnecessary since any tendency of the moistened innermost end aps to curl out of face contact with the adjacent flap structure is eliminated by the weight of the contents when the carton is inverted. Application of heat may speed up the setting of the adhesive or bring about that setting due to the nature 0f the adhcsive should the latter, for example, be of a type as to be set-responsive to heat, such as a thermosetting resin. Such heat source may be incorporated in the suction head as proposed hereinafter in connection with Fig. 13, or may be provided by employment of a iixed heat source arranged along the path of travel of the cartons as they are carried forward by the apparatus.

The suction head may be modified, if desired, to accommodate baiile structure which will operate to prevent passage from the face of the suction head or from carton structure and/or carton contents up into the suction conduit structure and valve units with which the latter may be equipped. For this purpose, as proposed in Figs. 1l and 12, suction head structure |1| may comprise a plate element |12 having its face |13 provided with a transversely extending groove 200 removably receiving a block insert 20| held by screws 202, 202 in the position indicated. The plate element |12 and insert 20| are so shaped as to provide, when secured together by screws 202, 202, the apertures 14, 14 in the carton-engaging face |13 each communicating via passage 15 with a transverse passage |16, in turn communicating with passage 11 leading to the exhausting conduit and valve unit therein.

The transverse passage |16 in the suction head of Figs. 11 and 12 is made tortuous by means of a plurality of baille plates with those in one set staggered with respect to those in another set. One set of baiiie plates 203-203 may be secured to the head plate |12 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, and another set of baille plates 204-204 may be secured to the insert 20| in any suitable manner, such as by being made integral therewith. As a result, foreign material which may tend to be entrained by air being drawn through the passages in the suction head from the apertures 14, 14 will be bailed out by the plates 203-203 and 204-204. Accumulaticns of such foreign material may be readily removed by dismounting insert 20| after removal of screws 202, 202.

It will be understood that apparatus of the present invention may be employed in so-called vacuum sealing of carton ends with the employment of any suitable adhesive such as that which will set by ageing after a period of time, or which, during such time period, will give up a contained solvent. For example, a thermoplastic adhesive may be employed which will set on cooling asithe eartonaps :areiheldtogetl'ier during their travel through apparatus'of the present invention. Also,` thermosetting` adhesive may be employed whenL suitable means are provided for applying heat -as the carton aps-areheld together during the passage f the cartons through appa- `ratus` herein4 described. lHeatng `-rneansi to drive 4off solvent from the Iadlflesive or cause such-aadhesive thermally toset up may be provided in any suitable manner, such as bythe employmentof a heat source in each suction head. Such'fheat source, as proposed infFi-g .1-3, may comprisean electrical heating Aelement 1&6 embedded therein and provided with terminal eiements zrckish'l 4projecting from the suction head'll, tofbe conlnected into an electrical circuit. With the provision of such electrical circuit thelattermaybe employed to operate :an lelectrornaamatic valve unit, which maybe substituted for Ythe valve structure 59, andvin smh-'case switeh means-in theeircuit of the winding ofv th electromagnetic "valvemay be closed by the control Lplunger IUE?,

and 4that switch means or vadditional switch means in the winding circuit may beopened'by ksuitable trip means located in the position of cam EID.

vIt may be desired tolequip each oonduitmeans extending from the common vacuum tank"64 to the valve unitl and/or suction hea'd 'H with aan auxiliary vacuum tank the capacity of which is lsufficient to provideonesuctionroperation on a carton. This may beadvantageouswhen operat- `ing'fwithcartons=any one of which may be of such faulty construction astopreventproper suction being applied to the stack ofiflaps'toi be adhered together by the vacuum-sealing procedure. "This Iwould =rnake unnecessary the employment `of `evacuating means ofrlargecapacity Vto keep"the yFig. i4. With the employment Vol -such auxiliary vacuum tanks IIN-#Hifi connectedlbetween conduits iBS-IGI! and the'mainvacuum tank M'by means of auxiliary'con'duits'ISB-(266, `additional valve means H38 should be used iii-each Iauxiliary conduit |52 so that when the vali/e569 isopened the valvev IGS will be closed. This may be accomplished by mounting on thepintl fixed tothe valve element of the valve unit a crank arm y.

268 connected to one end 'M9-of .al-lever arm 2Iil ypivotally supported at 2! I cna bracket-'2PZ which may be fixed on the auxiliary vacuum tankifl The lever arm 2MB may have its other end connected at 2I3 to a link2l4' pivotaliy connectedlat '2I5 to a crank arrn "2m adapted Vto rotate the valve element of valve unit |69. The pivotal connections at 29,"2i I, `2L?! andl 2K5` should be of such nature as to permit some lateral movement of the lever 2H! andlink 2M 13o-accommodate 565 Ythc swinging of the end of the lever armllll upwardly through an arc as the crank arm 2Il8V is rot-ated upwardly. Looseconnections or ball and socket joints, or otherV suitable structure, mayibe employed at such points as needed. `=With the use vof such dual valve structure andlauxiliaryfvacuum tanks it will be seen that when valve 69 is closed the auxiliary valveffB-S will be open, and that the partial vacuum inthe main tan-kim will obtain in' the Vauxiliary tanki 64. Upon opening of the valveil` tcrpermipsuctin tlmouglnthesuction head 1I, the auxiliary valme 'Ifvwillube closed and the partial vacuum inthefauxiiiary tanl; 64 will alone providerthe neoessaryssuction to accomplish. the Vlacuumfsealingavienthe conditions are such as Vto permitthe` ohtainmentof the latter.

The present invention maybesembodied :in-apparat-.us featured `.by straight line lmovementfof the filled cartons :as distinguishedifrmnz'movement of the lled cartons fthrough .ia circular path by the turretmechanjsmdisclosed in Ems. 1 to 10 inclusive. Such an apparatus :is'proposed in Figs. 15, liland 17. The cartonsii'fi43- maybe supplied by the supply belt 45, which feeds to an inclined.` slide 330 terminating ,amve an endless belt 3B Iffcarryingva plurality of spaced apart pusher :platesSIlZ-SBZ upeuated inztimed relation to an overhead` endless belt or linkage 304 trained about krotatable.rollsoorfwheelss. 305. The endless linkage 304 `suppertsfa phirality of suction heads '3H- rail `to".belcarred therewith, and the movement of the enidlessrlinkage is synchronized .with'the vmovement of the beltIlI such as by being driven from a common source of power, so that as each Alziushersplate moves a filled carton to the position indicatedat 306 a suction head 131| will'be brought down over such carton and forlwardftherewith'vto#imitiate operation of valve means in conduit strueture for application of partial vacuum. lior'the latter purpose a vacuum tank dfrnaybe provided which is connected byaiexible conduit 301 to a continuous exible conduit'tlli at 11h89. The flexible conduit 1308 is -suitablyrconnectedrto each of the'plurality of suction'heads SNI-#31| by means of a conduit 310rand the'body-r3'l2of the suction head is tted Withlzsu-itable valve means 369.

As shownin Figs. 16 and I'Lthe suctionhead structure and valve means therein may comprise thebody or plate `312 provided lwith a passage 3I'Ii leading to a valve chamber i-ill I having a valve seat 3I2 from which a passage "3I3 leads `toa transverse passage 316communicating via Apassages 15,15 with apertures `or orifices "it, "c'fl adapted to apply suction to the'upper end of a carton.

The passage -3I3'and valve chamber '3H are provided by a through bore-counterbored to` form the valve chamber SII closed by'a suitable plug 3I4 through which a Valve stemit is slidabiy mounted. The valve stem13I-5 carries a valve element BIG'adapted to cooperate with the seat 3I2. The valve element 3IG may be biasedfto its seat' bythe weight of the'parts, i. e., by force of gravity, Yor by that force and anedditional biasin'gforce of a helical spring Sil interposed betweentl'ie` plug 3I4 and the valve element tilt in the valve chamber. 'The through bore provides a'hole 3I8 below the cross-passage `Eii which is counterborcd..at'3ls. The val Ystem 3l5 extends down through the hole BIB into the counterbore 3l!! and terminatesin an enlarged head 320 in the latter, and a socketSEi is formed in the-bottom of the-valve stern slidably to receive fa stem 322 carrying a control button AV323 adapted to be pushed upveardlydey Contact with Vthe upper end of a carton. A helical spring 324 :is `preferably provided Vabout `the pin .322 be `tween its controlbutton i323 and the head ic of the valve stem f3l5.

A venting fholef325 `is providedin the suction :head `cornrmunicating .with the hoie .3ft is suitably valved by a cylindrical element 326 on the valve stem 315.

In the apparatus proposed in Figs. 15, 16 and 11, the filled cartons I43|43 are successively supplied by the supply belt 46 to the inclined slide 300 beneath any suitable structure, such as suitable shoe means arranged such as indicated in dotted lines at 340, to maintain the overlapped flaps at the upper end of each oarton in properly folded positions until they can be engaged by a suction head 31| as each carton is moved forward by the endless belt One of the pusher plates 302 on the belt 30| moves a carton forward to beneath a suction head 31|, which will move downwardly with the endless linkage 304 to engagement with the stack of flaps |54 at the upper end oi the carton at the position indicated at 308. As the suction head 31| is brought down upon the upper end of the carton, the control button 323 is pushed upwardly to align its lower face with the bottom face of the suction head. The force biasing downwardly the valve stem 3|5 and the parts carried thereby, such as that provided by the weight of the parts and biasing force of helical spring 3|1, may be just slightly greater than the upward force upon that structure due to suction in the valve chamber 3|I. Upward movement of the control button 323 will cause the relatively weak helical spring 324 to provide the small amount of additional force necessary to lift the valve parts, thereby opening up communication between the orifices 14, 14 and the vacuum tank 364. Suction will then be maintained upon the stack of flaps at the upper end |54 of the carton structure |43 as the latter is moved forward to the normal discharge end of the apparatus.

However, if there has been defective closure of the carton, such as by failure of partial vacuum or suction, the termination of the upper run of endless belty 30| before the normal discharge position is reached will permit the carton to fall away from the suction head down a defective closure discharge chute 321. If the suction has been effective, the carton will be carried beyond the end of the upper run of the belt 30| and the chute 321 to the position at 328 where a fixed cam 329 is located in the path of the upper end of the valve stem 3|5. The latter, in moving beneath the fixed cam, is pushed downwardly to seat the valve element 3|6 against its seat 3|2, thus shutting oii communcation between the vacuum tank 364 and the suction oriices 14, 14. The spring 324 permits telescoping of stem 322 and valve stem 3|5 to avoid damage to the end of the carton by control button 323 as the valve is being closed and the suction head vented. The valve stem 3 I 5 moves the cylindrical element 326 downwardly to uncover the venting hole 325 so as to bring about communication between the atmosphere and the passages in the suction head. This releases the package from the suction head onto the delivery belt |23.

With the release of the package from the suction head the control button 323 and its stem 322 will be permitted to drop by force of gravity and action of the helical spring 324. In order to prevent that control button and its stem entirely separating from the suction head structure, the hollow bottom end of the valve stem SI5 may be provided with a slot 330 receiving a projection 33| on the stem 322 to limit movement of the latter with respect to the valve stem.

Simplicity of construction and proper positioning of the suction heads 31|-31I in their movement to the receiving station at 300 and from there to the normal discharge station 320 is assured by having them xed to the linkage 304 as shown.- However, in such construction as each suction head 31| is carried up and around the roller or wheel 305 at the normal discharge station 323, it will be turned over to an inverted position and carried in such inverted position back to the other roller or wheel 305 at the receiving station 306, and at the latter again be turned over back to its normal or proper position 1for applying suction to carton ends as the iormer is brought down into engagement with the latter. This action, of course, will reverse the vdirection of the force of gravity on the valve parts and, accordingly, suitable provision may be made for keeping each valve closed as the suction head is moved back from the normal discharge station 320 to the receiving station 306. 'I'his may be accomplished by shoe means or a cam track 332 against which the projecting ends of the valve stems 3|5-3I5 may ride during return travel of the suction heads 31I-31I.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above and those made apparent in the preceding description are eiliciently attained by apparatus of the present invention and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Carton handling apparatus comprising, in

combination, means to receive lled cartons having their closure aps folded in overlapping relation with outer flap structure being more pervious to air than inner ap structure, means to move said cartons progressively forward. suction means to apply suction to the outer flap structure of each carton from the exterior of the latter, means to bring each carton and said suction means together and thereafter cause the latter to draw and hold the inner flap structure tightly against the outer I'lap structure to permit adhesive bonding thereof, means preceding a normal discharge station to remove defectively closed cartons, means to release the completed packages from said suction means after bonding of the flap structures, and means at a normal discharge station to discharge the completed packages.

2. Carton handling apparatus for handling cartons having their closure flaps folded in overlapping relation with outer flap structure being more pervious to air than inner ap structure, the apparatus comprising, in combination, a receiving station, a defective-closure discharge station, a normal discharge station, means progressively to move the cartons forward from the receiving station to the other two stations, means engageable with the cartons between said receiving station and the others of said stations to apply suction to outer more pervious flap structure to cause inner less pervious ap structure of each fil? eartonvto :berdrawn's andzheldoagainst a ltheuouter rrtlap. structureffmeans'; toubringeeachf carton :and Vsaid. suctionlmeanslztogether :latter :the former has arrived .ati the receiving station :means to rcause said suctionapplying meansY tosapply.A soc- A tion to. thef overlapping apstruntunea andlmain- :tainthe samei for raneadhesiveobonding ,-period, #,meansz at the defective-closure rdischairgeostation-selectively :to:lremovernartonsriavmgidefec .tiveclosuresi'meansiirt thefvicinityiofcthefmwmal discharge staztion' tofreieasdthefcmnpletedupacknages e from Ysaid suction-@applying ".means: einer obondring of theiflaplstructuresaand lmeanslat the normal dischargcstaonz to idisohagemne scomrpleted .packages :13. Barton handling V@apparatusccomprising,cin .fcombination; :means to' receive mledreaiamisihavl ing their closure; flaps foldedA imm/emulating# 'Irela- Ctionxwiths outer clap4 structure being nnorpermoes ,tosair than innerf.flapsnzucturepmeansct move -said cartons prcgrsivelir" @onward'suctiommeans to apply suction to the outerlapstructnroteach Acarton from the' exterior ottheclattergfmealns to `bring each carton and saidsuctiommeansitogether and thereaftencaie-tho latten to. drawtand hold L.thefinner apfstructure tightlylagainstzthe outer f hapA structure torpenmit. adhesiva bondingithereof, l.means to releasezlthe completed tpackages from fsaid suction :means after rbondingr of flthe :hap structures, means 5to a dsoharge :the completed packages, land, means to inverttheccompieted packages :during discharge, thereon to'zcansefthem to rest fupon the y'adhesivelyebcnded :ldap

-.structures.

4.- Cartonhandlingapparatus for handling earl .tons having theiniclosnre. flaps lioidedzin overlaprping relation.` with outenflap structure .beinglmore ipervious to nir. than finner apl structure; therappafratus comprising, in -eombinaftiomea orec'eivin'g station, a defective-closure discharge; statioma normal discharge station, sneans progressivelinto move the cartons forward fromzthareceivmgistation to' theiother two stations, means engageable with the cartons between said receiving station and the otherslofs said stations tozapply suction to outer more pervious flap structure -to cause inner less per'vous flap structure oteach ciwtomtobe drawn and held against the outer flap structure, means to"bringf-eachfcarton Lad'said suction meansftogether after thaevmer has arrivadtet .the receiving station, means :arto cause `rsaid suction-applying means to apply suction cito `the overlapping flap structureszaud maintain. the `same for` an adhesive bondingperiodmeansearthe defective-closure discharge station selectively to remove cartons having defective closures, means in the vicinity of the normal discharge station to release the completed packages from said suction-applying means after bonding of the flap structures, means at the normal discharge station to discharge the completed packages, and means to invert the completed packages during discharge thereof to 4cause them to rest upon the adhesively-bonded flap structures.

5. Carton handling apparatus for handling cartons having their closure flaps folded in overlapping relation with outer flap structure, being more pervious to air than inner flap structure, the apparatus comprising, in combination, a receiving station, a defective-closure discharge station, a normal discharge station, means progressively and continuously to move the cartons forward from the receiving station to the normal discharge station along a path passing by the defectiveclosure discharge station, means engageable with Ell fthenaartons between said receiving station and the fothm'sl of: said stations tolapplysuctionlto outer fnrorespervious flap structure to cause inner less perviene-.nap structure .of `each carton to -he Idnltvnrleuid heldagainst the nuten-nap: structure, :.meanscto bring'eachfcantonrand said suction means together after ther ormerhasaarrivedsat z, thefc'eceininga station, means to :move said :suc-

Ation:applying means forward with' the; cartons, z means. ttor cause said` suction-applyingzY :meanse to -apply suctioncto theoverlappingzilap struotlnes pendii-maintain the same forlanladhesive ibonding lperiod awhile `ther-cartons are being movedioraward, means .at the:defectiveeclosureidischarge station: selectively` to `remove:cartons. having: de- .-rective closmes, Ameans in :the vicinitywof the :normairdischarge station torelease the completed @packages fromV saidV suctiomappiyingtmeans after :monding oi the flapstnuotures, Aand'fmeansuitcthe normals discliargastation to discharge :thecom- A p1 etedpackages.

6. Carton .handling `apparatus ffor handling cartons having thencclosurelaps folded in overlappingrelation with. outer 'flapf `struct/are:being more pervions .fto `air .than innerhap. stnuoture'the r apparatus comprising; inA combinationra receiving sstation, a normal discharge Stationen, .plurality :of successively arrangedl means Ceachhadapwd tov 'receive a carton. alt-said receiving l statiomiand "moveat-.ffofward to said normal dischargersta- .tion and athen, return to lsaidl receiving..y station for reception of another lledoarton, means suc- -1cessively to feed the.' cartons to each' ofesaid receivsir-1g. .means, aspluralityof meansfeach adaptedcto eapply suction to xouter morperviousmaps struek.turetof ione -oflthe cantons to2 cause. linner dess percio'asap structure thereofA to fbevdrawn iup and-heldlegainst the Aouter ap strucrtnrepmeans `associating each of .said suctiomapplyingnneans ,with one of said receiving'meanaandfmoving .them

togetherx from said receiving station 'to saidfmor- `mal discharge station andback to said 'receiving .stationnmeans to. bring eachvcartonsand'. one of said suctionaapplying means together after' reception oi the former. by theorie rcceivingfmcanslaslsomtaiedfwith that suction-applying means; salve means to causewsaid suctionapplyingcmeansnto -apply l suction' tol ther "overlapping, flaps structures aas:.tlmaccartonsy are being movedrbetween. said receiva'ngwand normalV dischargewstationspmeans lztocloseasaid valvemcafns asreach receivingzmeans aislniovedto the vicinity of said normalldscharge -fstationl thereby releasingveach completed :packsage@ fromt1 the. suction.applying;nneanscoperaltive stnercon, 4and means at the 's normal l. discharge station to discharge the completed packages,

'1. Carton handling apparatus for handling cartons having their closure i'laps folded in overlapping relation with outer flap structure being more pervlous to air than inner flap structure, the apparatus comprising, in combination, a receiving station, a defective-closure discharge station, a normal discharge station, a plurality of successively arranged means each adapted to receive a carton at said receiving station and move it for- 76 be drawn up and held against the outer flap structure, means associating each of said suction applying means with one of said receiving means and moving them together from said receiving station to said normal discharge station and back to said receiving station, means to bring each carton and one of said suction-applying means together after reception of the former by the one receiving means associated with that suction-applying means, valve means to cause said suction-applying means to apply suction to the overlapping nap structures as the cartons arel being moved between said receiving and normal discharge stations, means at said defective-closure discharge station to remove from said receiving means such cartons as may have defective closures, means to close said valve means as each receiving means is moved to the vicinity of said normal discharge station thereby releasing each completed package from the suction-applying means operative thereon, and means at the normal discharge station to discharge the completed packages.

8. A carton end nap sealing machine comprising iixed supporting means, a turntable rotatably mounted on said supporting means and carrying a plurality of carton-receiving means spaced about its periphery, each of said means being adapted to receive and carry lled cartons for sealing, a plurality of suction heads each having a carton flap-engaging suction face, each of said suction heads cooperating with one of said carton-receiving means and rotating therewith, cam means nxed in relation to said supporting means for moving each carton-receiving means to a position with a carton thereon having end flap structure thereof brought into contact with the suction face of the cooperating suction head and maintaining the end flap structure in such contact for a predetermined time interval, a source of suction, valve means controlling communication between each ofv said suction heads and said source of suction, means to open said valve means with a carton in such suction face contact, other cam means fixed in relation to said supporting means, and means controlled by said last cam means for closing said valve means at a predetermined position of each carton-receiving means.

9. A carton end nap sealing machine comprising iixed supporting means, a turntable rotatably mounted on said supporting means and carrying a plurality of carton-receiving means spaced about its periphery, each of said means being adapted to receive and carry iilled cartons for sealing, a plurality of suction heads each having a carton Hap-engaging suction face, each of said suction heads cooperating with one of said carton-receiving means and rotating therewith, cam means xed in relation to said supporting means, a plurality of cam followers with one thereof associated with each carton-receiving means and riding on said cam means during rotation of said turntable to move its carton-receiving means to a position with a carton thereon having end flap structure thereof brought into contact with the suction face of the cooperating suction head and maintaining the end iiap structure in such contact for a predetermined time interval, a source of suction, a plurality of valve means rotatable with said turntable each controlling communication between each of said suction heads and said source of suction, means to open each of said valve means with a carton in such suction face contact, other cam means fixed in relation to said supporting means, and means controlled by said last cam means for closing each of said valve means at a predetermined position of each carton-receiving means.

10. Carton handling apparatus comprising, in combination, means to receive filled cartons having their closure iiaps folded in overlapping relation with outer iiap structure being more pervious to air than inner flap structure. means to move said cartons progressively and continuously forward, individual suction means for each carton to apply suction to the outer iiap structure of each carton from the exterior of the latter, means to bring each carton and its individual suction means together and thereafter cause the latter to draw and hold the inner flap structure tightly against the outer flap structure to permit adhesive bonding thereof, means to move said indivldual suction means forward with said cartons while suction is being applied to nap structure of the latter by the former, means to release the completed packages from said suction means after bonding of the nap structures, and means to discharge the completed packages.

WILLIAM J. CUPO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 111e of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,011,829 Schnur Aug. 20, 1935 2,132,283 Allen Oct. 4, 1938 2,310,995 Robinson Feb. 16, 1943 2,435,878 Dunning Feb. 10, 1948 

